Doug Gayer, class of 1981, was a four-year letter winner and All-KCAC selection in both basketball and tennis during his time at McPherson College, and in 1981 was named the College’s “Male Athlete of the Year.”
A three-year starter for the Bulldogs, Gayer was an All-KCAC selection in basketball his senior year. At the time of his graduation, Gayer held the Bulldogs’ career assist record..
A four-time All-KCAC selection in tennis, Gayer was part of the Bulldogs’ KCAC championship doubles team in 1980, and a member of the Bulldogs’ District 10 doubles runner-ups in 1980. He was also a member of three additional KCAC doubles runner-up teams and four times was the KCAC runner-up in singles.
Following his graduation, Gayer began a teaching and coaching career in the McPherson public schools.
In the 21 years since being named the head girls’ tennis coach at McPherson High School, Gayer has led his squads to eight league titles, one Class 5A state championship, four second place state finishes, and two third place finishes. He was named the Kansas Girls’ Tennis Coach of the Year in 1995, and the Class 5A Girls’ Coach of the Year in 1996 and 2000. Members of his girls’ teams have won three state double championships, have placed second four times, and once third in doubles. His teams have also earned one third-place and one fourth-place finish in singles.
In 1986, Gayer added the McPherson High head boys’ tennis position to his duties. In the past 19 years, his boys’ teams have won ten league championships, one Class 5A state team title, finished second three times and third six times in the state tournament. His teams have included five state champion doubles teams and five state runner-ups in doubles, in addition to one doubles third-place and two doubles fourth-place finishes. Gayer was named the Kansas Boys’ Tennis Coach of the Year for 2003 after being named the Class 5A Boys’ Coach of the Year in 1992 and 1994.
Recognized as one of the top basketball officials in Kansas, Gayer has officiated high school and collegiate basketball for 22 years. He has been selected seven times to officiate in the KSHSAA state championship tournament. On a personal note, Gayer has won the McPherson City singles tennis championship twice, the McPherson Turkey Creek club championship in golf twice, and the McPherson City two-man golf championship once.
Gayer received a Masters in Sports Administration degree from Wichita State University. He and his family are active members of the Countryside Covenant Church of McPherson
